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A2 noun 12 min read

disponibilité

Examples disponibilité in 30 Seconds
Explanation disponibilité in your Level:
At the A1 level, you usually learn the adjective 'disponible' (available) before the noun 'disponibilité'. You might use it in very simple contexts like 'Je suis disponible' (I am free/available). The noun 'disponibilité' might appear on websites when you are looking for a hotel room or checking if a product is in a store. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, but you should recognize it as meaning 'the state of being free or ready'. Think of it as the 'yes' or 'no' status of a person or an object. If you see 'Disponibilité : Oui', it means you can have it or use it right now. It's a very useful word for basic travel and shopping needs in a French-speaking country.
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At the A2 level, you start using 'disponibilité' more actively, especially in the plural form 'disponibilités'. This is very common when you are making plans with friends or setting up an appointment. You might say, 'Quelles sont vos disponibilités ?' (What is your availability?). You are moving beyond just saying 'I am free' and starting to talk about the abstract concept of time management. You will also see this word in more professional contexts, like job advertisements (disponibilité immédiate) or when talking about customer service. It's an important word for navigating daily life in France, as it helps you participate in the culture of scheduling and politeness. You should be able to use it with basic possessive adjectives like 'ma', 'ta', or 'votre'.
By B1, you should be comfortable using 'disponibilité' in a variety of contexts, including professional and social situations. You understand that it can refer to people (time), things (stock), and services (uptime). You can now use it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Je vous remercie de votre disponibilité' (I thank you for your availability) or 'Sous réserve de disponibilité' (Subject to availability). You are also beginning to recognize its use in administrative terms, such as the specific status of civil servants. At this level, you start to appreciate the nuance between 'disponibilité' and 'accessibilité'. You can use the word to describe someone's character, noting that they are 'très disponible' for others, which implies a sense of generosity and helpfulness.
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At the B2 level, you can use 'disponibilité' to discuss more abstract or technical topics. In a business or academic essay, you might discuss 'la disponibilité des ressources naturelles' or 'la disponibilité de l'information'. You understand the philosophical nuances of the word—how it relates to being present and open to others (disponibilité d'esprit). You can use it in professional debates, perhaps arguing about the 'disponibilité' of a system or the 'manque de disponibilité' of a manager. Your usage is precise, and you avoid common pitfalls like confusing it with 'disposition'. You can handle the word in various registers, from formal business emails to more casual conversations about personal time, and you understand how it functions as a qualitative noun in character descriptions.
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At C1, your use of 'disponibilité' is nuanced and sophisticated. You can use it in specialized fields like law, medicine, or high-level administration. You are aware of its historical and philosophical weight, perhaps referencing Gabriel Marcel's concept of 'disponibilité' as an ontological state of openness. You can use the word to describe complex socio-economic phenomena, such as the 'disponibilité de la main-d'œuvre' (labor availability) or 'disponibilité monétaire' (money supply). You can navigate the most formal administrative uses, such as 'mise en disponibilité', with ease. Your vocabulary around this concept is rich, and you can effortlessly switch between 'disponibilité', 'accessibilité', 'serviabilité', and 'réactivité' to convey the exact shade of meaning required for your argument or description.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'disponibilité'. You can use it with poetic or highly technical precision. You might use it in a literary critique to describe the 'disponibilité' of a text to multiple interpretations, or in a highly technical engineering report regarding system redundancy and 'haute disponibilité'. You understand every idiomatic and administrative nuance, including the legal implications of 'disponibilité' in contracts. You can play with the word's connotations in creative writing or high-level rhetoric. Your understanding is so deep that you can explain the evolution of the word from its Latin roots to its modern multifaceted usage in French society. You use it not just as a word for 'availability', but as a concept that touches on existence, ethics, and efficiency.
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Examples

disponibilité in 30 Seconds

  • Disponibilité is the French noun for 'availability', used for time, stock, and systems.
  • It is a feminine noun (la disponibilité) and often used in the plural (disponibilités) for schedules.
  • In professional French, it is a polite way to ask for or offer time for meetings.
  • It also describes a person's helpfulness and mental openness to others.

The word disponibilité is a cornerstone of daily French communication, particularly in professional, social, and administrative contexts. At its most fundamental level, it translates to 'availability' in English. However, the French concept encompasses more than just a free slot in a calendar; it touches upon the readiness of resources, the accessibility of individuals, and even a specific state of mind in philosophical or psychological discussions.

Temporal Availability
This is the most common usage. It refers to whether a person has the time to perform a task, attend a meeting, or meet a friend. When you ask someone about their 'disponibilités' (often used in the plural here), you are asking for their open time slots. It is the standard term used when scheduling appointments with doctors, lawyers, or colleagues.

Veuillez nous indiquer vos disponibilités pour un entretien la semaine prochaine.

Material and Resource Availability
In a commercial or technical sense, 'disponibilité' refers to whether a product is in stock or whether a service is operational. If you are shopping online in France and a product is 'en rupture de stock', it lacks 'disponibilité'. In the world of Information Technology, 'haute disponibilité' (High Availability) refers to systems that are durable and likely to operate continuously without failure for a long time.

La disponibilité des pièces de rechange est garantie pendant dix ans.

Psychological and Emotional Presence
Beyond logistics, 'disponibilité' describes an openness to others. A teacher might be praised for their 'disponibilité d'esprit' (open-mindedness or mental availability), meaning they are truly present and attentive to their students' needs. It suggests a lack of preoccupation with one's own concerns, allowing for genuine engagement with the world or with another person.

Son écoute et sa grande disponibilité font de lui un excellent médiateur.

When you use this word, you are essentially discussing the 'readiness' of something or someone. It is a highly formal and polite way to approach the concept of time. Instead of asking 'When are you free?', which can sometimes feel a bit direct in a professional French setting, asking about someone's 'disponibilité' adds a layer of professional courtesy and respect for their schedule. It acknowledges that their time is a finite resource that must be managed.

Nous apprécions votre disponibilité immédiate pour ce projet urgent.

In summary, whether you are checking if a hotel room is free, asking a coworker for a meeting, or describing a friend's generous nature, 'disponibilité' is the essential term. It bridges the gap between the mechanical (stock levels) and the deeply human (being there for someone). Understanding its various shades—from the plural 'disponibilités' for calendar dates to the singular 'disponibilité' for a character trait—is key to mastering intermediate French communication.

La disponibilité du réseau internet est cruciale pour le télétravail.

Using 'disponibilité' correctly requires attention to the surrounding prepositions and the context of the sentence. While in English we often use the adjective 'available' (e.g., 'Are you available?'), French speakers frequently pivot to the noun to express the same idea more formally or precisely.

Asking for Time
When inquiring about someone's schedule, you often use the verb 'avoir' (to have) or 'indiquer' (to indicate/show). In these cases, the word is almost always preceded by a possessive adjective like 'votre' or 'ses'.

Pourriez-vous me donner votre disponibilité pour un appel téléphonique ?

In plural form, 'disponibilités' refers to the specific slots of time someone is free. This is very common in email correspondence when trying to find a common meeting time.

Voici mes disponibilités : lundi après-midi ou jeudi matin.

Expressing Product Access
When talking about products or services, 'disponibilité' is often followed by the preposition 'de' (of) to specify what is being discussed. You might see this on e-commerce websites or in stock reports.

La disponibilité des vaccins est un enjeu de santé publique majeur.

The 'Sous réserve de' Pattern
In formal writing, you will often see 'sous réserve de disponibilité' which means 'subject to availability'. This is a standard phrase in travel bookings, promotions, and limited-time offers.

Cette offre est valable jusqu'à demain, sous réserve de disponibilité des stocks.

When describing a person's character, 'disponibilité' is used with adjectives like 'grande' (great), 'totale' (total), or 'constante' (constant). It functions as a qualitative noun describing their helpfulness or presence.

On apprécie beaucoup sa grande disponibilité envers ses collègues.

Administrative Status
In the French civil service (la fonction publique), being 'mis en disponibilité' is a formal status. It's used with the verbs 'demander' (to ask for) or 'être en' (to be in).

Elle a demandé une mise en disponibilité pour suivre son conjoint à l'étranger.

Finally, when discussing information or data, 'disponibilité' describes whether the data can be accessed by authorized users. This is a key term in GDPR (RGPD in French) and data security contexts. Using 'disponibilité' correctly involves choosing between these professional, personal, and technical spheres, and matching it with the right verbs like 'vérifier', 'assurer', or 'manquer de'.

Nous devons assurer la disponibilité des données 24 heures sur 24.

'Disponibilité' is not a word hidden away in dusty dictionaries; it is a living part of the French linguistic landscape. You will encounter it in diverse environments, from the mundane to the highly specialized.

In the Office (Le Bureau)
The most common place is likely your email inbox. Phrases like 'Selon vos disponibilités' (According to your availability) or 'Je reste à votre entière disponibilité' (I remain entirely at your disposal/availability) are standard politeness markers in French business etiquette. It signals a respect for the other person's time and a willingness to be helpful.

Merci pour votre disponibilité lors de notre réunion de ce matin.

Shopping and Consumer Services
When you browse a French retail website like FNAC or Amazon.fr, you will see 'Vérifier la disponibilité en magasin' (Check in-store availability). If a product is out of stock, the site might say 'Disponibilité : Épuisé' (Availability: Sold out) or 'En cours de réapprovisionnement' (Being restocked).

La disponibilité de cet article est limitée à deux exemplaires par client.

News and Media
In news reports, especially those concerning economics or health, 'disponibilité' is used to talk about macro-level resources. For example, 'la disponibilité des lits d'hôpital' (the availability of hospital beds) or 'la disponibilité des ressources énergétiques' (the availability of energy resources). It frames the discussion in terms of supply and demand.

Le ministre a souligné la disponibilité immédiate des fonds de secours.

In a more personal or artistic context, you might hear it in interviews. An actor might talk about their 'disponibilité' for a new role, or a philosopher like Gabriel Marcel (who famously wrote about 'disponibilité') might discuss it as a spiritual state of being open to the presence of others and the divine.

L'artiste a besoin d'une certaine disponibilité intérieure pour créer.

Customer Support
When calling a helpline, you might hear an automated message: 'En raison d'un grand nombre d'appels, notre disponibilité est réduite.' (Due to a high volume of calls, our availability is reduced). It's a polite way of saying you'll be waiting a while.

Ultimately, 'disponibilité' is a word that signifies the transition from potential to actual. Whether it's a person's time, a store's stock, or a server's uptime, the word measures the gap between needing something and having it. Hearing it frequently in France reminds you of the importance placed on scheduling, stock management, and professional courtesy.

Nous vous remercions de votre disponibilité et de votre compréhension.

Even for intermediate learners, 'disponibilité' can be a source of confusion, primarily due to its length and its English 'false friends' or near-synonyms. Understanding these pitfalls will help you use the word with the precision of a native speaker.

Confusing with 'Disposition'
In English, 'disposition' can mean a person's temperament. In French, 'disposition' usually refers to the physical arrangement of things or a legal provision. While you can say 'être à la disposition de quelqu'un' (to be at someone's disposal), you should use 'disponibilité' when talking about the state of being free or available.

Incorrect: Quelle est votre disposition ?
Correct: Quelle est votre disponibilité ?

Overusing the Adjective 'Disponible'
English speakers often rely on 'available' for everything. While 'disponible' (the adjective) is common in French, using the noun 'disponibilité' is often more natural for abstract or formal inquiries. For instance, saying 'Je n'ai pas de disponibilité' sounds more professional than just 'Je ne suis pas disponible'.

Je m'excuse pour mon manque de disponibilité ces derniers jours.

Gender Errors
Because it ends in '-ité', some learners might mistakenly think it's masculine because it doesn't end in a silent 'e'. Remember that almost all French nouns ending in '-ité' (the equivalent of '-ity') are feminine.

Incorrect: Le disponibilité.
Correct: La disponibilité.

Another mistake is using 'disponibilité' when you mean 'liberté' (freedom). While a person might be 'disponible' (free) to talk, 'disponibilité' refers specifically to the state of being accessible, not the general concept of freedom from oppression or constraints.

La disponibilité du personnel est essentielle pour le bon fonctionnement du service.

Plural vs. Singular
In English, we say 'What is your availability?' (singular). In French, when asking for multiple possible time slots, the plural 'disponibilités' is often preferred. Using the singular 'disponibilité' in this context isn't 'wrong', but it might sound like you are asking for a single specific time rather than a range of options.

Finally, avoid the literal translation of 'at your disposal'. While 'à votre disposition' is correct, people sometimes try to force 'disponibilité' into that idiom. Stick to the established phrases: 'à votre disposition' for 'at your service', and 'votre disponibilité' for 'your time/availability'.

Je vous remercie pour votre disponibilité constante.

To truly master 'disponibilité', it helps to understand its lexical neighbors. Depending on the nuance you want to convey—whether it's about time, space, or attitude—different words might be more appropriate.

Accessibilité (Accessibility)
While 'disponibilité' means something is ready for use, 'accessibilité' means you can actually reach it. A product might be 'disponible' (in stock) but not 'accessible' (e.g., it's on a high shelf or the website is down). In social terms, 'accessibilité' refers to how easy a person is to approach.

L'accessibilité des soins est aussi importante que leur disponibilité.

Présence (Presence)
When talking about a person's emotional 'disponibilité', you might also use 'présence'. However, 'présence' is more about being physically or mentally there, while 'disponibilité' emphasizes the readiness to be used or helpful.

Sa simple présence était une preuve de sa disponibilité.

Serviabilité (Helpfulness)
If you want to praise someone for always being ready to help, 'serviabilité' is a more specific term than 'disponibilité'. While 'disponibilité' says 'they have the time', 'serviabilité' says 'they have the spirit of service'.

Nous apprécions votre serviabilité et votre disponibilité constante.

In a technical or logistical context, you might use 'approvisionnement' (supply) or 'stock'. 'Disponibilité' is the result of good 'approvisionnement'. If the supply is good, the availability is high.

Réactivité (Responsiveness)
In business, 'disponibilité' and 'réactivité' often go hand-in-hand. 'Disponibilité' is the capacity to be there; 'réactivité' is the speed with which you respond once you are there. A company with high availability but low responsiveness is still frustrating for customers.

Leur réactivité dépend de la disponibilité de leurs techniciens.

Finally, consider 'ouverture' (openness). In a psychological sense, someone with 'disponibilité d'esprit' has 'ouverture d'esprit'. 'Ouverture' is the state of the door being open; 'disponibilité' is the fact that you are ready to walk through it or let someone in. By choosing between these synonyms, you can tailor your French to be more descriptive and precise.

La disponibilité est une forme d'ouverture au monde.

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Examples by Level

1

La disponibilité est affichée sur le site.

The availability is shown on the website.

Feminine singular noun.

2

Vérifiez la disponibilité de la chambre.

Check the availability of the room.

Used with the definite article 'la'.

3

Il n'y a pas de disponibilité pour demain.

There is no availability for tomorrow.

Used in a negative construction with 'pas de'.

4

Quelle est votre disponibilité ?

What is your availability?

Interrogative sentence with possessive adjective 'votre'.

5

La disponibilité du produit est limitée.

The availability of the product is limited.

Noun + preposition 'du' (de + le).

6

Merci pour votre disponibilité.

Thank you for your availability.

A common polite phrase.

7

J'ai une petite disponibilité ce soir.

I have a little availability this evening.

Noun preceded by the adjective 'petite'.

8

La disponibilité est importante pour nous.

Availability is important to us.

Abstract noun as the subject.

1

Quelles sont vos disponibilités pour la réunion ?

What are your availabilities for the meeting?

Plural form used for scheduling.

2

Le magasin assure la disponibilité des stocks.

The store ensures the availability of stocks.

Direct object of the verb 'assurer'.

3

Sa disponibilité envers les clients est excellente.

His availability toward customers is excellent.

Describes a personal quality/trait.

4

Nous attendons la disponibilité des résultats.

We are waiting for the availability of the results.

Noun + preposition 'des' (de + les).

5

Il y a une grande disponibilité de choix.

There is a great availability of choices.

Used with the adjective 'grande'.

6

La disponibilité immédiate est un avantage.

Immediate availability is an advantage.

Modified by the adjective 'immédiate'.

7

Veuillez confirmer votre disponibilité par mail.

Please confirm your availability by email.

Imperative form with 'veuillez'.

8

Elle manque de disponibilité en ce moment.

She lacks availability at the moment.

Verb 'manquer' + preposition 'de'.

1

La disponibilité des transports publics s'améliore.

The availability of public transport is improving.

Subject of the sentence in a social context.

2

L'offre est valable sous réserve de disponibilité.

The offer is valid subject to availability.

Fixed idiom 'sous réserve de'.

3

Leur disponibilité d'esprit permet d'innover.

Their open-mindedness allows for innovation.

Abstract use: 'disponibilité d'esprit'.

4

Il a demandé une mise en disponibilité d'un an.

He asked for a one-year leave of absence (civil service).

Administrative term: 'mise en disponibilité'.

5

La disponibilité du réseau est cruciale pour le projet.

Network availability is crucial for the project.

Technical context (IT).

6

Nous apprécions votre grande disponibilité.

We appreciate your great availability.

Used as a compliment.

7

La disponibilité des fonds sera confirmée demain.

The availability of funds will be confirmed tomorrow.

Financial context.

8

Vérifiez les disponibilités avant de réserver.

Check the availabilities before booking.

Plural form in a commercial context.

1

La disponibilité des données est un enjeu éthique.

Data availability is an ethical issue.

Abstract subject with ethical nuance.

2

L'entreprise garantit une haute disponibilité de ses services.

The company guarantees high availability of its services.

Technical term: 'haute disponibilité'.

3

Le manque de disponibilité du personnel freine la croissance.

The lack of staff availability is slowing growth.

Complex subject phrase.

4

Elle a fait preuve d'une disponibilité exemplaire.

She showed exemplary availability/helpfulness.

Idiom 'faire preuve de'.

5

La disponibilité budgétaire limite nos ambitions.

Budgetary availability limits our ambitions.

Adjective 'budgétaire' modifying the noun.

6

La disponibilité des ressources varie selon les régions.

Resource availability varies by region.

Scientific/Economic context.

7

Il faut assurer la disponibilité permanente du système.

Permanent system availability must be ensured.

Infinitive phrase with 'il faut'.

8

Votre disponibilité est requise pour cette mission.

Your availability is required for this mission.

Passive construction with 'est requise'.

1

La disponibilité ontologique est au cœur de sa philosophie.

Ontological availability is at the heart of his philosophy.

Highly abstract/Academic usage.

2

La mise en disponibilité d'office peut être contestée.

Compulsory leave of absence can be contested.

Legal/Administrative term: 'd'office'.

3

L'optimisation de la disponibilité des actifs est prioritaire.

Optimizing asset availability is a priority.

Corporate/Financial jargon.

4

La disponibilité des informations sensibles est strictement régulée.

The availability of sensitive information is strictly regulated.

Security/Regulatory context.

5

Sa disponibilité à l'autre définit son humanisme.

His openness to others defines his humanism.

Prepositional phrase 'à l'autre'.

6

Le taux de disponibilité est un indicateur clé de performance.

The availability rate is a key performance indicator.

Business metric context.

7

On déplore la faible disponibilité des logements sociaux.

The low availability of social housing is deplored.

Socio-political context.

8

L'acteur a confirmé sa disponibilité pour le prochain tournage.

The actor confirmed his availability for the next shoot.

Professional/Entertainment context.

1

La disponibilité est ici entendue comme une vacance de l'être.

Availability is understood here as a vacancy of being.

Philosophical/Literary register.

2

Le contrat stipule les conditions de disponibilité du prestataire.

The contract stipulates the provider's availability conditions.

Legal/Contractual register.

3

La disponibilité du capital influence les cycles économiques.

Capital availability influences economic cycles.

Macroeconomic theory.

4

Cette œuvre exige une certaine disponibilité intellectuelle.

This work requires a certain intellectual availability/readiness.

Critical/Artistic register.

5

L'administration a prononcé sa mise en disponibilité pour convenances personnelles.

The administration declared his leave of absence for personal reasons.

Specific administrative terminology.

6

La disponibilité des ressources biotiques est menacée par le climat.

The availability of biotic resources is threatened by the climate.

Scientific/Ecological register.

7

Il s'agit d'une disponibilité sans faille face aux aléas.

It is a question of flawless availability in the face of hazards.

Rhetorical/Formal style.

8

Le juge a évalué la disponibilité des preuves matérielles.

The judge evaluated the availability of physical evidence.

Judicial register.

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